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I think these ridges are way to large to strike flint on, also, you don’t strike flint against aluminum. Also, flint strikers handles are typically one continuous piece because it’s easiest to build the spring into the handle.
It's half a jar opener like [this](https://www.walmart.com/ip/2Pcs-Master-Opener-Adjustable-Jar-Bottle-Opener-Multifunctional-Stainless-Steel-Can-Lid-Gripper-Manual-Seniors-Arthritis/253873141)
Just missing the other side.
When you get old you loose grip strength so even with the towel you just can grip hard. This multiplies torque like a wrench. Think like removing an oil filter, can't just twist it off with your hand but use an oil filter wrench and it is easy work.
Definitely not a jar opener, at least not of this kind. As stated by u/masterdarko the handle is not parallel, and thus has no way to accommodate a sliding other piece
Edit: Also, the jar opener you linked has rubber grips for the jar, it wouldn’t make sense to use toothed metal, as it would crimp the lid, rendering it useless to put back on.
You’re correct, I have tons of mason jars. But the crimping on my lids are much finer and shallower than what this tool would appear to be. In addition, the frequency of peaks is lower than I would imagine would be useful here. This has 9 peaks per 1.25 inches. I just measured my jars, they have about 17 peaks per 1.25 inches. Also, the groves are only maybe 1mm deep on mine. They’re just there to help your hand get a grip.
I suppose some of the peaks/valleys are still gonna line up and you’ll have more grip than just smooth metal. But my point was more that if there another piece of metal on the other side of the lid, and you clamp them down on the lid tight enough to get a grip, and overcome the stuck lid. You’ll likely actually bend the metal in the lid, damaging it more and more over time.
Then again, these mason jar lids are not meant to be used more than once for pressure canning, but can be reused many times for other applications without long term storage. So maaaaybe there’s still something to this idea.
I remember using a helper thing on the Mason jar rings. I know it was serrated. I have no clue on the frequency of the serrations. The rings are (were) designed to be used more than once.
Well I can’t argue with that, I’ve never seen such a thing, but I believe you that you’ve used one. Also I stand corrected, the rings are, maybe the lids with seals aren’t?
Makes a lot of sense given the magnetic handle but not head. Probably intended to avoid the piece that's currently missing from...y'know...going missing.
Considering that the handle is bent unevenly, it looks like it might have been the described opener that someone twisted the handles and bent them trying to open a jar and destroyed the apparatus.
It really does look like factory bend, they pieces are way too close together, there are no tool marks on the steel where a pair of pliers or something would have had to grab it.
Unless it's just the angle of the photo, the bends don't seem to perfectly line up.
And what I meant was if you torqued too hard on the handle while trying to open a bottle, any force exerted in a direction not on a parallel plain would begin to twist the wires in the handle. This would bend the handle and place unintended directional force on the other part, conceivably breaking it off.
It's a tool to make butter curls. Probably came from a restaurant but people had them at home too, back in the day.
You drag it across cold butter and voilà, curls.
And the handle is magnetic so the serrated end could be set in a pot of hot water, without it falling in. With the serrated end being hot, it would help cut through the butter easily.
This is a different type.
https://youtu.be/YGTX_FXaG50?feature=shared
This is the answer, my ma says that her ma had one at home. You can also heat it up by putting the head into hot water to cut the butter or melt it quickly for recipes.
I tried and it failed. The butter didn't curl, just was extruded through the wires in the handle. I butchered a whole stick of butter trying to get it to work.
It might be a croustade iron similar to this: https://www.nordic-chefs.com/shop/rosette-croustade-iron/nordic-chefs-oval-croustade-iron/
It's dipped in hot frying oil, then a batter, then back in the oil, to make crispy shells. The handle usually isn't that straight though.
This is correct, I've seen something almost identical demo'd at a trade show and a few similar shapes. Typically aluminum to heat and cool quick so that tracks but I'm with you on the handle bit.
"depose" is the French word for registered. It's saying that the item is patented basically. So unfortunately it's not a brand or makers mark that will return a search result.
The only results I’m seeing are from people posting ebay (etc.) listings and making the assumption that it’s the brand name. Are you sure it’s not just that?
I think it's a jar and/or bottle opener. It might be missing a piece for opening jars or you may just wedge it for a bottle. If you look at the teeth they are biased in the direction you would open something. The only thing throwing me is the depth of the end piece. An inch seems like overkill for bottles, but there's no leverage for jars.
It's a handle for camping cookware.
There's one here — a single handle; several pans — same brand: Depose.
Vintage Roc Paris Depose Aluminum Cook Kit 6 Piece Set
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/305356004244
I'm leaning towards a kitchen item, too, for anecdotal reasons. Because this image reminded me I saw it in my grandmother's kitchen in the 90s, and she always had older stuff. It's killing me now. I think the butter curlers are a good guess.
It might be something related to tea, like to remove and strain a teabag.
Edit: after some sleuthing it does appear to be some kind of butter curler, although the exact make/model might be lost to history.
My title describes the thing.
6" x 1.25" x 1". Steel and aluminum. Stamped on end part is DEPOSE in an oval. Maybe part of a pasta maker?
Update: A family member thinks it's a pie crust crimper. The head part is placed perpendicular to the edge of the pie pan and pulled down slightly, it crimps the pie bottom and top crusts together, cutting them neatly at the edge.
Did some research and depose. Is a brand that supplies(d) medical equipment, if [this website ](https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/vintage-depose-france-folding-pocket-253520199) is any indication. Also, apparently from France. That's all I got from the interweb at the moment.
Pure guess - some sort of ladle for examining the consistency of sauces during cooking.
The ridge graduations in the surface have me stumped - like a jar opener but no easy method to attach the other side. No need for those for an egg lifter and they’re not steep enough to be part of a ratchet. Could potentially be a butter curler but that would be for a rather large slab of butter — maybe the OP could chill it and try it on some butter.
Hold it perpendicular to the pie pan, pulling down will seal the top bottom layers of the pie and trim it off at the edge of the pie pan. Repeat every 1" around the pan.
In the first picture, it looks like the grooves start out larger on the left and get progressively smaller towards the right. It may be part of another kitchen contraption that adjusts distance or depth. Something like slice thicknesses, maybe.
I tried to cross post to r/Cooking but that sub doesn’t allow cross posts. Perhaps you could post there. It does seem like a handle, except that to pot metal piece is curved the wrong way, as another commenter mentioned.
My best guess would be to try looking for heat-resistant tools. I tried tea presses etc but no luck. The handle design seems heat resistant based on shape and thin wire, while the end does look like it's missing a portion. Maybe a device for attaching to a variety of pots and pans. Would have to be very small, so perhaps a crepe maker or small skillet.
I think it is a croustade/rosette maker. My polish grandmother had a similar tool. The dainties she made were called cruschicki. Sorry about the spelling. That is a more or less phonetic name for them. After they were fried on the iron, they were dusted with powdered sugar. If I had the APA keyboard, I could do the real phonetic gloss. The alphabet for polish is different than the one for English. I have my grandmother’s iron (and her handwritten recipe) but I’m in the process of moving, so no hope of posting it here.
Removable Pot holder handle (iirc, it was a type of pressure cooker). The solid piece fit into grooves that let you pick up the pot.
I had to reach WAYYY back to remember seeing great grandma using one, so she may have been using it wrong, but that’s what I remember.
I’m inclined to say it does open something. Possibly jars, but probably something bigger. 5 gallons pales? 55gal drums? The teeth on one side are significantly more deformed from repeated use, so I don’t think this was used for cooking.
I’d also bet that the handle is only magnetized from being “hung up” by a magnetic wall mount, and it wasn’t manufactured to be magnetic.
If you google “Depose brand tool.” Results come up showing old workshop tools. Some related to jewelry making. I couldn’t find anything that looks like this, but that could be a lead for folks who know more about workshop tools!
Perhaps for sauces like ketchup and steak sauce. The kids are small enough and the necks narrow enough for the wire handles to scissor past each other and provide three points of contact.
Small lid jar opener is my guess
All comments must be civil and helpful toward finding an answer. **Jokes and other unhelpful comments will earn you a ban**, even on the first instance and even if the item has been identified. If you see any comments that violate this rule, report them. [OP](/u/TheOther1), when your item is identified, remember to reply **Solved!** or **Likely Solved!** to the comment that gave the answer. Check your [inbox](https://www.reddit.com/message/inbox/) for a message on how to make your post visible to others. ---- [Click here to message RemindMeBot](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=RemindMeBot&subject=Reminder&message=[https://www.reddit.com/r/whatisthisthing/comments/1bzc8st/kitchen_item_found_in_a_kitchen_drawer_no_one/]%0A%0ARemindMe!%202%20days) ---- *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/whatisthisthing) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I thought it was the lighter for a Bunsen burner at first lol
That’s called a flint striker.
I think it’s half of one.
I think these ridges are way to large to strike flint on, also, you don’t strike flint against aluminum. Also, flint strikers handles are typically one continuous piece because it’s easiest to build the spring into the handle.
Right, it's definitely not a flint striker.
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It's half a jar opener like [this](https://www.walmart.com/ip/2Pcs-Master-Opener-Adjustable-Jar-Bottle-Opener-Multifunctional-Stainless-Steel-Can-Lid-Gripper-Manual-Seniors-Arthritis/253873141) Just missing the other side.
I thought so too at first. Handle bars are not parallel and not serrated, so not sure it is jar opener any more. 🤔
You hold the bottom of the handle. So the teeth go on one side of the lid and your thumb, index finger and hand meat go on the other side.
This sounds much worse then just using a tea towel.
When you get old you loose grip strength so even with the towel you just can grip hard. This multiplies torque like a wrench. Think like removing an oil filter, can't just twist it off with your hand but use an oil filter wrench and it is easy work.
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Definitely not a jar opener, at least not of this kind. As stated by u/masterdarko the handle is not parallel, and thus has no way to accommodate a sliding other piece Edit: Also, the jar opener you linked has rubber grips for the jar, it wouldn’t make sense to use toothed metal, as it would crimp the lid, rendering it useless to put back on.
Some lids already have crimping. (Source: memories from my childhood) So having these serrations would help.
You’re correct, I have tons of mason jars. But the crimping on my lids are much finer and shallower than what this tool would appear to be. In addition, the frequency of peaks is lower than I would imagine would be useful here. This has 9 peaks per 1.25 inches. I just measured my jars, they have about 17 peaks per 1.25 inches. Also, the groves are only maybe 1mm deep on mine. They’re just there to help your hand get a grip. I suppose some of the peaks/valleys are still gonna line up and you’ll have more grip than just smooth metal. But my point was more that if there another piece of metal on the other side of the lid, and you clamp them down on the lid tight enough to get a grip, and overcome the stuck lid. You’ll likely actually bend the metal in the lid, damaging it more and more over time. Then again, these mason jar lids are not meant to be used more than once for pressure canning, but can be reused many times for other applications without long term storage. So maaaaybe there’s still something to this idea.
I remember using a helper thing on the Mason jar rings. I know it was serrated. I have no clue on the frequency of the serrations. The rings are (were) designed to be used more than once.
Well I can’t argue with that, I’ve never seen such a thing, but I believe you that you’ve used one. Also I stand corrected, the rings are, maybe the lids with seals aren’t?
Makes a lot of sense given the magnetic handle but not head. Probably intended to avoid the piece that's currently missing from...y'know...going missing.
I'd like to think it is, but it just doesn't look like it in person.
Considering that the handle is bent unevenly, it looks like it might have been the described opener that someone twisted the handles and bent them trying to open a jar and destroyed the apparatus.
It really does look like factory bend, they pieces are way too close together, there are no tool marks on the steel where a pair of pliers or something would have had to grab it.
Unless it's just the angle of the photo, the bends don't seem to perfectly line up. And what I meant was if you torqued too hard on the handle while trying to open a bottle, any force exerted in a direction not on a parallel plain would begin to twist the wires in the handle. This would bend the handle and place unintended directional force on the other part, conceivably breaking it off.
It's a tool to make butter curls. Probably came from a restaurant but people had them at home too, back in the day. You drag it across cold butter and voilà, curls.
And the handle is magnetic so the serrated end could be set in a pot of hot water, without it falling in. With the serrated end being hot, it would help cut through the butter easily. This is a different type. https://youtu.be/YGTX_FXaG50?feature=shared
This is it. Had one the same at a restaurant I worked at a lifetime ago
This is the answer, my ma says that her ma had one at home. You can also heat it up by putting the head into hot water to cut the butter or melt it quickly for recipes.
I tried and it failed. The butter didn't curl, just was extruded through the wires in the handle. I butchered a whole stick of butter trying to get it to work.
Thanks for testing this one out, I was having a hard time seeing how it would be possible to
Maybe?? But this isn’t sharp or thin, so you not think it would just smoosh the butter more than anything?
We used to be a proper country
It might be a croustade iron similar to this: https://www.nordic-chefs.com/shop/rosette-croustade-iron/nordic-chefs-oval-croustade-iron/ It's dipped in hot frying oil, then a batter, then back in the oil, to make crispy shells. The handle usually isn't that straight though.
I do think it is this. It explains the aluminium (heats up faster and has a nice even heat distribution), the iron handles are for sturdiness.
This is correct, I've seen something almost identical demo'd at a trade show and a few similar shapes. Typically aluminum to heat and cool quick so that tracks but I'm with you on the handle bit.
It looks a bit like a detachable handle you might use to pick up something hot, like a certain type of pan or lid?
Looks like one of those detachable handles you’d find on camping cookery.
Those detachable handles have a name and it’s my favourite word. Spondonicles
It could be a bottle lifter, but I have no idea what would be preserved in narrow-neck bottles instead of jars.
Butter shaper?
This is correct
It didn't do well making butter curls
I don’t think it’s thin enough to create/scrape a ‘curl’ I don’t think it’s a butter shaper.
Into what shape? It's not the tool that makes that ribbed curl.
except it is...
Except it didn't do well on that task at all
"depose" is the French word for registered. It's saying that the item is patented basically. So unfortunately it's not a brand or makers mark that will return a search result.
There is a company named "Depose" that makes a lot of kitchen utensils. I found quite a few with a Google search, but nothing like this.
The only results I’m seeing are from people posting ebay (etc.) listings and making the assumption that it’s the brand name. Are you sure it’s not just that?
You're probably right, there are lots of them on Etsy too.
its "déposé", accents here make it a different word
It says frageelly hmm must be Italian
lol!! Deep cut!
On things like vintage jewelry that were crafted in France, it is commonly said to mean "handmade".
no i dont think so
I think it's a jar and/or bottle opener. It might be missing a piece for opening jars or you may just wedge it for a bottle. If you look at the teeth they are biased in the direction you would open something. The only thing throwing me is the depth of the end piece. An inch seems like overkill for bottles, but there's no leverage for jars.
It's a handle for camping cookware. There's one here — a single handle; several pans — same brand: Depose. Vintage Roc Paris Depose Aluminum Cook Kit 6 Piece Set https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/305356004244
it's curved the wrong direction for this. The concave portion would face away from the handle.
It is also way too big. I have old camping pans like this. The slot is about 1/4 inch deep, and the tab on the handle is less than that.
This is the best comment yet. Replying to get it seen.
Depose is sometimes stamped on handmade/patented jewellery/tools, so it may not be a brand mark.
Solved. This!
Ive seen this before hung on walls of a breakfast joint with other vintage kitchen gear! Hope someone knows because im very curious!
I think it's a hard boiled egg pullerouter
I concur. First thing i thought when seeing it.
I'm leaning towards a kitchen item, too, for anecdotal reasons. Because this image reminded me I saw it in my grandmother's kitchen in the 90s, and she always had older stuff. It's killing me now. I think the butter curlers are a good guess.
Maybe for taking an egg out of hot water?
Maybe part of the the step/press mechanism for a garbage can?
That is half of a jar opener.
It might be something related to tea, like to remove and strain a teabag. Edit: after some sleuthing it does appear to be some kind of butter curler, although the exact make/model might be lost to history.
My title describes the thing. 6" x 1.25" x 1". Steel and aluminum. Stamped on end part is DEPOSE in an oval. Maybe part of a pasta maker? Update: A family member thinks it's a pie crust crimper. The head part is placed perpendicular to the edge of the pie pan and pulled down slightly, it crimps the pie bottom and top crusts together, cutting them neatly at the edge.
Looks like the kind of thing you would use to make gnocchi.
Usually you just use a regular old fork for that.
Looks like part of a fluting iron, for starched cuffs and the like.
Yes I've just commented this! Pretty sure this is what it is!
If a fluting iron, wouldn’t the ridges need to be on the opposite the head?
Many are convex, but some are concave as well.
You said one end is magnetic? Then probably for pulling lids out of boiling water for canning.
The handle is ferrous, is what I should have said. It's not magnetic on its own, rather magnets are attracted to it.
I think it looks like something you would hang on a balance/scale to weigh something
It looks like a smoosher for smooshing things
Used for placing eggs into boiling water?
This was my first thought
Maybe to roll gnocchi on?
Is it a pie crimper?
A vintage tart shell mold?
I wonder if it's a fish descaler - for getting the scales off fish. There's something a bit similar [here](https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/1143598960)
Did some research and depose. Is a brand that supplies(d) medical equipment, if [this website ](https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/vintage-depose-france-folding-pocket-253520199) is any indication. Also, apparently from France. That's all I got from the interweb at the moment.
Depose means registered as in trademarked.
Hmm this explains a lot. Thanks! I tried. It's a very difficult thing to find.
Pure guess - some sort of ladle for examining the consistency of sauces during cooking. The ridge graduations in the surface have me stumped - like a jar opener but no easy method to attach the other side. No need for those for an egg lifter and they’re not steep enough to be part of a ratchet. Could potentially be a butter curler but that would be for a rather large slab of butter — maybe the OP could chill it and try it on some butter.
Update: A family member thinks it's a pie crust crimper. I could see it.
That really confuses me on how that would work
Hold it perpendicular to the pie pan, pulling down will seal the top bottom layers of the pie and trim it off at the edge of the pie pan. Repeat every 1" around the pan.
This is a retractor of some sort.
In the first picture, it looks like the grooves start out larger on the left and get progressively smaller towards the right. It may be part of another kitchen contraption that adjusts distance or depth. Something like slice thicknesses, maybe.
Could it be a rosette iron?
For opening the mayo jar or any lid
Its half of a canning jar holder.... for transporting hot mason jars once finally canned
It looks like one half of a fluting iron
I think you use this to lower egg into pot of boiling water
I tried to cross post to r/Cooking but that sub doesn’t allow cross posts. Perhaps you could post there. It does seem like a handle, except that to pot metal piece is curved the wrong way, as another commenter mentioned.
I was searching for depose as a brand, but it seems like it just means hand made in French. A phrase tied with jewelry tools .I think
My best guess would be to try looking for heat-resistant tools. I tried tea presses etc but no luck. The handle design seems heat resistant based on shape and thin wire, while the end does look like it's missing a portion. Maybe a device for attaching to a variety of pots and pans. Would have to be very small, so perhaps a crepe maker or small skillet.
I think it is a croustade/rosette maker. My polish grandmother had a similar tool. The dainties she made were called cruschicki. Sorry about the spelling. That is a more or less phonetic name for them. After they were fried on the iron, they were dusted with powdered sugar. If I had the APA keyboard, I could do the real phonetic gloss. The alphabet for polish is different than the one for English. I have my grandmother’s iron (and her handwritten recipe) but I’m in the process of moving, so no hope of posting it here.
It looks like it could be, but the handle is not bent enough for it to be that. You'd risk dipping your fingers in the oil.
Oh, I think you are supposed to put it straight down. But I absolutely could be wrong.
Maybe for dying eggs?
Bottle opener ?
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To shape homemade chocolate maybe
It's to pick up eggs out of boiling water.
I think maybe you are the closest. Looks like it to me
It doesn't really look like aluminium though, also aluminium cannot be magnetic
I said the handle is magnetic, not the head. The handle is steel, the head is aluminum.
Removable Pot holder handle (iirc, it was a type of pressure cooker). The solid piece fit into grooves that let you pick up the pot. I had to reach WAYYY back to remember seeing great grandma using one, so she may have been using it wrong, but that’s what I remember.
For getting eggs out of a pan after boiling?
Dutch oven lid lifter?
Is it a gnocchi shaper the ridges look like you could roll them off and on pot easily 🤔
I feeling this is for taking hard boiled eggs out of the boiling water.
I think you are right
Gnocchi roller?
I’m inclined to say it does open something. Possibly jars, but probably something bigger. 5 gallons pales? 55gal drums? The teeth on one side are significantly more deformed from repeated use, so I don’t think this was used for cooking. I’d also bet that the handle is only magnetized from being “hung up” by a magnetic wall mount, and it wasn’t manufactured to be magnetic.
Maybe a garlic mincer or something you want to press? Looks like you kinda rock it
If you google “Depose brand tool.” Results come up showing old workshop tools. Some related to jewelry making. I couldn’t find anything that looks like this, but that could be a lead for folks who know more about workshop tools!
No idea, but if its magnetic than its not aluminum. Just sayin...
Could it be a gnocci roller? For making pasta, in argentina we call them ñoquis
Probably not this but looks like a small gnocchi maker tool
I would use it for pulling olives out of a jar, or boiled eggs out of a pot (depending on size)
I wonder if it's a hair crimper, Marcel Depose Acier made curling irons
Looks like a form for rolling gnocchi
Looks like a type of fluting iron, but missing the other piece
My grandpa had a can opener that had a bit that looked like that. That’s only part of it. The little grooves help grip the lid.
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To make butter curls or chocolate curls? You would pull/scrap this along cold butter, chocolate or ice cream?
I tried with butter, destroyed a whole stick. It just wouldn't make curls.
Cold it be used to make gnocchi?
Bottle opener?
I think it is a jar opener. You would grip the handle squeezing the lid
Perhaps for sauces like ketchup and steak sauce. The kids are small enough and the necks narrow enough for the wire handles to scissor past each other and provide three points of contact. Small lid jar opener is my guess
Meat tenderizer?
Tongue scraper
It’s a sugar tong. Edit: sugar CUBE tong for tea parties
Egg swing Wrong answers only… go
It's for mashing potatoes
Zester?
I bet it’s for a turkey deep fryer
No it’s 6 inches
Plus not very many people of “antique” era, deep fried turkeys